Re: Avant, Variant, Brake....

[MCTXR4@aol.com]

In a message dated 09/30/1999 4:14:02 PM !!!First Boot!!!, tnas@euronet.nl 
writes:

> The French call 'em 'Break' pronounced as 'brek', the Dutch call 'em
>  'Stationcars'
We (the US) also used to call them stationcars, or more popularly, Station 
Wagons.

The usage comes from a time when the stationmaster at the local train depot 
would have a small horse drawn wagon to deliver small shipments that would be 
dropped off by the local train. Increasingly the SM would also drop off 
passengers who missed connections or looking for a place to spend the night 
before going on to their destination.

In later years as the wagons became motorized, this lead to a panel van-like 
utility truck to the addition of back doors and the opening of the panel 
vans' sides so passengers could see out. After W.W.II this became an 
increasingly car like vehicle with applications for the family.

Mike Torio